26th November 2025

26th November 2025


Pray (ACts)


Read (Exodus 20:15)


Message (Alan Burke)
I wonder if you’ve ever watched toddlers at play, when a few of them get together and there is that moment that inadvertently happens when one child takes the toy that the other child is playing with. The mums rush in, there is the demand given by mother whose child took the toy to give it back, the other mother is saying, “they have to learn to share” and everyone is a little embarrassed by the whole thing. Children even without having to be taught know what it is when someone takes from them that which is theirs. Ok we might debate about the toy and sharing but that wee face with all those emotions makes it clear when something they were playing with is taken from them they are distraught. 


So let’s think why God forbids stealing. Well there are three reasons that the LORD forbids stealing. 1. Because when we steal we are not loving our neighbour. 2. When we steal it impacts the community and and society as a whole, it leads to fear, higher insurance premiums, higher prices for consumers, causes increase in taxes, policing, justice, jails, law enforcement, need for victim support, it limits economic growth and job opportunities. 3. When we steal it is a failure to trust in the LORD. The first one we can get easy enough and I reckon the second but maybe you’re scratching your head a little and thinking to yourself that the third doesn’t quite sound right, let me explain. The earth is the LORD’s and everything in it, he created and sustains the world and everything that is in it. Everything we have comes from him. Everything, that not only includes the good and pleasant things but things that are far from good and pleasant, in his holy, wise and powerful way, he governs all. A child knows that what they have comes from their parent they are reliant on them for everything but as the years go on we fall into the belief that this is mine because I earned it, because we have done this. 


But it is only ours because our gracious God has given it to us, it is his, the world and all that is in it, and all who live in it and all of life has by his providence been laid out before us, everything that has happened and everything that does happen in this world is not a matter or mere chance or luck, but at the hand of the LORD. Whenever we steal we are not trusting in God’s provision to us, we are not willing to trust in his ability to provide for our needs and we are taking things into our own hands. It is a sing that we don’t trust God will provide what we need.


The eighth commandment requires as summarised in the Larger Catechism; that, truth, faithfulness, and justice in contracts and commerce between man and man; rendering to every one his due; restitution of goods unlawfully detained from the right owners thereof; giving and lending freely, according to our abilities, and the necessities of others; moderation of our judgments, wills, and affections, concerning worldly goods; a provident care and study to get, keep, use, and dispose of those things which are necessary and convenient for the sustentation of our nature, and suitable to our condition; a lawful calling, and diligence in it; frugality; avoiding unnecessary law-suits, and suretyship, or other like engagements; and an endeavour, by all just and lawful means, to procure, preserve, and further the wealth and outward estate of others, as well as our own.


Pray (acTS)


Sing


WSC
Q29 How are we made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ?
A. We are made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ, by the effectual application of it to us by his Holy Spirit.
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